Need some suggestions for big skimmer.

[bobafet1]

Here is an update..I decided to use the 4 and 6 inch tubes to make a wet neck set up..here is a pic of how I made it...I did a test run though and it seems as though my holes are too big...so, Im gonna fill them with some weld on 16 and drill a bunch of small holes around the perimeter of the inner tube...

 

[bobafet1]

Heres a pic with the riser set up assembled...

here is my diffuser chamber ready to be glued to the main body...I made it so that it would have chambers to eliminate micro bubbles from being sucked in from the pump..although on a needlewheel I don't think it really matters much at all...oh well...

Here is everything assembled...for the main body I used a 12" diameter pvc tube...I sanded it down and painted it white..then drilled some holes and slapped on some uniseals...right now the main body is gluing to the base/diffuser chamber..I should be able to mount the dart needlewheel tomorrow...total height is 63 inches..

 

[bobafet1]

ok...getting "the look" from the wife..so if anyone has questions I can answer them tomorrow morning...good night

 

[hahnmeister]

You really dont want holes for a wetneck. You want a slot that runs around the entire neck evenly so that the water comes out in a sheet. The best way to do it is to use a 5" tube inside of a 6" tube, with the 5" tube being about 1/16" lower than the 6", and the cap that covers both only getting bonded to the outer pipe. No drilling, no problems, etc... just a nice slot all the way around.

If you are steady with a dremel, you could still do this.

 

[lakee911]

Very nice. How'd you get that nice round edge? Routed, heat formed?

Jason

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9480580#post9480580 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
You really dont want holes for a wetneck. You want a slot that runs around the entire neck evenly so that the water comes out in a sheet. The best way to do it is to use a 5" tube inside of a 6" tube, with the 5" tube being about 1/16" lower than the 6", and the cap that covers both only getting bonded to the outer pipe. No drilling, no problems, etc... just a nice slot all the way around.

If you are steady with a dremel, you could still do this.

I can understand your resoning for the slot...any reason why a lot of little holes won't work???

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9480830#post9480830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lakee911
Very nice. How'd you get that nice round edge? Routed, heat formed?

Jason

If your reffering to the riser dome, I bought it from www.globalplastics.ca...it was only $33..thats well worth the money versus the time wasted making your own.

 

[bobafet1]

the link I posted didnt work...its
www.globalplastics.ca

 

[bobafet1]

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do for the skimmer intake???? Since this is a countercurrent design I was planning on having the overflow water feed the skimmer directly. The only concern Im seeing is the dirty water disrupting the flow of the water in the skimmer and causing more turbulence or larger air bubbles..Should I make a manifold of some sort??? I would like to stay away from using a pump to feed the skimmer. Any Suggestions???

 

[lakee911]

Actually, I mean how'd you get the rounded edge on the wet neck--looks like it's rounded or heated and bent towards the neck.

Jason

 

[lakee911]

I fed mine from the overflow. Tee'd off it with a valve. I don't get any bubbles in my skimmer. It drains downhill into the skimmer and works just fine. What do you mean by dirty water disrupting the flow?

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9482997#post9482997 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lakee911
Actually, I mean how'd you get the rounded edge on the wet neck--looks like it's rounded or heated and bent towards the neck.

Jason

I used a router to round off the inner and outer edge...really easy to do...

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9483012#post9483012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lakee911
I fed mine from the overflow. Tee'd off it with a valve. I don't get any bubbles in my skimmer. It drains downhill into the skimmer and works just fine. What do you mean by dirty water disrupting the flow?

Since the intake is going to be from the top of the main skimmer tube (you can see the hole in the pic) Im just afraid that it will cause too much turbulance and therefore minimize the efficiency of the skimmer. Im not sure if this is going to make a big difference or not..From what Ive read the skimmers fine bubbles should easily go up to the riser neck without too much turbulence otherwise the foam head won't produce as much foam...Is this info correct??

Also, did you feed your skimmer in the same manner that deltecs are set up..with a valve that t's into your skimmer while still allowing water to flow into your sump?? Since I have two overflow returns I was hoping to dedicate one to the skimmer without having to T it off...Does the T help reduce the bubbles from entering the skimmer?

 

[bobafet1]

Almost done...now I have the pump mounted..I will do a test run later on today...Im excited to see what the new dart(orca) needlewheel is capable of...

I would also like to thank CHRIS from Reeflo Pumps for being gracious enough to send me the new ORCA pump. I will always choose reeflo for my pumps because they are reliable, quiet, use less energy, and the customer service is top notch!!! I can't say enough nice things about that company.

 

[RandyStacyE]

That is looking beautiful!

You're going to need a 'super silencer' on that thing! Otherwise it's going to sound like a huge BONG

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9493477#post9493477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
That is looking beautiful!

You're going to need a 'super silencer' on that thing! Otherwise it's going to sound like a huge BONG

LOL:smokin:

I did a test run right now and the air intake is not that loud..these are pics with fresh salt water and a cup of my tank water...this is what it looked like after 3 minutes

All thats left to do now is glue the top flange on the skimmer body and plumb this baby into the tank..

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9482744#post9482744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bobafet1
I can understand your resoning for the slot...any reason why a lot of little holes won't work???

well, they dont distribute the flow evenly across the inside surface of the neck... you will most likely get heavy flow (too much) right underneath the holes, and too little in between. A slot gives you an even sheet of water across the whole neck.

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9499879#post9499879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
well, they dont distribute the flow evenly across the inside surface of the neck... you will most likely get heavy flow (too much) right underneath the holes, and too little in between. A slot gives you an even sheet of water across the whole neck.

I'll see if I can add the slot...BTW, I see you have a MAC. Nice avatar.

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, the woman wanted a Mac, so she gets a Mac. Fun laptop, prolly one of the best deals on laptops as well, and I dont have to go through all the 'vista compatibility/upgrade' mumbo-jumbo. I still prefer my PCs though... I cant get used to that mac OS.

 

[bobafet1]

OK, this thing really does sound like a HUGE BONG now....I finally have it plumbed inline with the tank and I just started running it. From what I can see the pump can only take so much before it stops sucking air..I can only raise the water level to the top of the dome....sort of where the flange is...I think Im gonna need to add an air pump to this..Does anyone local have one I can borrow for testing???